Foot appliance



March 10, 1936. J. G. CRONAN ET AL 2,033,758

FOOT APPLIANCE Filed Feb. 5, 1954 2 SheetsSheet 1 HDHE 51 V5 SURFACES J0 ll r'i g cnowm Y JAMES E, RATY ATTORNEY March 1936,

J. G. CRONAN ET AL FOOT APPLIANCE Fil ed 5 1934 2 Sheec. ..s- 2

ENToRs JOSEDH CRONAN JAMES E. HER/QTY ATTORNE'Y Patented Mar. 10, 1936 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE E. Heraty, La Crosse, Wia; said signor to said Heraty ronan 88- Application February 5, 1934, Serial No. 709,766 '1 Claims. (ores-'11) This invention relates to foot correction appliances or the type worn within the shoes or boots of the wearer, and the primary object is to provide a support 'member or unit, that is designed for use over a certain predetermined foot area, that will efllciently and effectivelyfunction to support weakened or falling sections of the feet, and without containing various objectionable features embodied in existing types of pads and supports as'now commonly used by people having weak or otherwise defective feet. A further ob- Ject is to provide a support unit that is adjustable, whereby it may be quickly and easily altered to accommodate changing foot or shoe conditions, and to permit of a proper initial fitting or adjustment. Further objects are, to provide a device that is comparatively simple in construction and therefore economical of manufacture; that is resilient and flexible to thereby facilitate comfort- I able fitting and also create a massaging action when in use, without being noticeably compressible; that is provided with chemical means serving a double function of neutralizing foot odors and increasing the flexibility of the unit; and to provide simple and novel means for temporarily securing the device in variously shifted positions within the shoe during the initial fitting process or operation. Still other and more specific objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a shoe insole and with the major portion of the adjoining"upper sectioned away for purpose of illustration, this view showing various pads or supports, embodying the invention, as secured in place in the shoe.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective section through the longitudinal support unit, as on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, and before the device has been prepared for permanent attachment in the shoe.

Fig. -3 is a detail plan view of the longitudinal arch support, showing the spaced temporary fastener devices in place.

Fig. 4 is-an enlarged detail section through one of the temporary fastener elements as seen on the line 4-4 in either of Figs. 2 or 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective sectionalelevation through the heel support unit, as on the line 5-;5 in Fig. 1.

Figs. 6 and 7 are sections similar to Fig. 5, but showing the heel support as altered to meet various foot conditions.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the forward or metatarsal arch support, as on the linel-QinFlgL- Fig. 9 is a cross section through the forward support as on the line 99 in Fig. 8, this View, however, being illustrative of a modified cross sectional contour for the upper surface of the support.

Before describing in detail the structure and function of the units embodying our invention, brief mention may be made of the circumstances and conditions of which consideration must first be given.

The more prevalent foot ailments and pains are those resulting from weakened or broken down arches, of .which the foot has several, but the more prominent of which are the main or longitudinal arch, and the forward transverse or anterior metatarsal arch. The bones of the skeleton of a normal foot are so arranged and connected that the weight of the body is distributed through the arches to three primary points of shoe (or floor) contact, one of which is at the heel while the other two are laterally disposed immediately back of the great and small toes, respectively. The bone structure is connected together and is actuated, as when in walking, by muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other tissue, all combined and coordinated in a delicate and complicated system to effect support and locomotion. Weaknesses in the foot anatomy, as is well known, not only result in pains and discomfort in the foot itself, but such disturbances also and invariably consume a great deal of nervous and mental energy, thus greatly decreasing the body efficiency generally.

To meet the widespread emergency created by such foot weakness and ailments, numerous attempts have been made either to reinforce the shoe proper by steel stays, etc., or by providing shoe inserts in the form of metal arch supports. Such shoes and supports have invariably been objectionable, and for various reasons.

In the case of so-called arch supporting shoes, 1. e., where the supporting member is built into the shoe proper, it is found to be impossible to so build the shoe that it will support the various parts of the foot properly and throughout the usable life of the shoe. This is largely due to the fact that the leather, as well as the stitchings in the shoe, soon stretch as the foot pressure varies over different areas, and thus loses the snug supporting fit that the shoe initially had. Under such circumstances the shoe cannot retain its proper shape and consequently fails to accomplish its purpose of supporting the foot as intended by the designer.

Another reason for the failure of built in arch supporting shoes is the fact that they must of necessity all be built alike, or from one mold or last. This condition is wrong in principle for the obvious reason that no two pair of feet are exactly alike, and in fact no two feet are alike even on the same individual, and consequently the shoe must be built for what would have to be considered as an average or typical foot, and it will therefore also be seen that such a conventional design of shoe, while possibly applicable to certain people, would obviously not constitute a proper fit to the numerous other people who would purchase the same size of shoe and who might be aiilicted with foot ailments of a diflferent character and at a different area.

In the case of foot appliances of the removable type, they also have a number of very serious objections, of which a few may be noted. The primary objection to the rigid or metal type of insert or so-calied arch supporter, is that they must be placed in shoes which are not designed to accommodate them; and if there is not suilicient room in the shoe for the supporter the shoe must necessarily be purchased in a size that is considerably larger than would otherwise be required; and when an abnormally large shoe is placed upon the foot it is not only awkward to the wearer but is also apt to result in other foot ailments. Furthermore, these types of supporters are usually made of steel covered with leather, and consequently there is no yielding or cushioning action, with a result that they frequently cause much pain. Furthermore, sweating of the foot causes the leather to deteriorate or rot, and the bulging of the steel arch on one side of the instep often noticeably bulges and sometimes cuts into the shoe itself. Furthermore, with this type of supporter no adjustments can be made except by placing it in a special press, and therefore it frequently becomes necessary for the wearer to make trips to the dealer or doctor who may happen to have such a press.

As in the case of the inbuilt supporter, we here too find that the removable support is also made for the average case, and it is therefore frequently difficult to eifect a shifting of the primary point of the support from one area to another when foot conditions so require.

The problem thus reduces itself to one of producing an appliance that can be made to quickly and easily and accurately fit any type of foot;

that can readily be adjusted; that will not take up an unnecessary amount of room in the shoe; that will retain its shape and supporting characteristics indefinitely; that will not distort the normal' shape of the shoe; that is sufficiently yieldable to prevent excessively hard contact; and which will be comfortable to the wearer at all times.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings we have shown a shoe as fitted withthree support units A, B, and C, all of which embody essential elements or. features of the invention. The devices may be used singly or in combination, depending upon the nature of the support or correction required for the foot to be fitted.

The device A may first be described and comprises a generally ovate pad iii which is curved downwardly at its ends and upwardly at its lateral edge portions so that it will generally con form to the ,inner longitudinal arch area. The pad i0 is preferably made from felt or other compressed fibrous material which is at least slightly flexible, whereby it may be shaped, and is relatively thickest at a central point and tapers toward all edges. The nature of the felt is such that it will properly cushion and effectively massage the supported area, yet will not become materially distorted because it is so highly compressed that it will not be noticeably affected by the wearer's weight.

To assist in securing and maintaining the transverse curvature of the pad, as shown in Fig. 2, we provide its back or bottom surface with a series of spaced longitudinal slits Ii, and these slits are widened or spread when the curve is initially effected to thereby provide trough receptacles for a filler substance l2. This substance preferably comprises an icthyol-gelatineglycerine compound, mixed with powdered cork and water to produce a rubber-like consistency, that will not only fiexwith the pad without cracking or crystallizing, but will also tend to maintain the transverse pad curvature; and, of primary consideration, this filler compound chemically reacts to neutralize foot odors and perspiration absorbed by the pad. Because of its neutralizing chemical qualities and its cushioning or resilient physical properties the compound is also preferably filled into holes I! scattered throughout the body portions of the units A, B, and 0.

Upon the back or bottom surface of the pad A are placed a series of shims ll, three of which areillustrated as applied to the unit, but more or fewer of which may be appliedas occasion may require. These shims are made of cloth or other flexible material, and are provided with adhesive substance similar to that commonly used in making adhesive tape, and this substanceis ,3;

applied to both surfaces of each shim so that they will not only readily stick to each other but will also adhere to the pad l0 and to the shoe parts to which the pad is applied. As shown in Fig. 2,

the outer shim I4 is provided with a removable 40 The purpose of providing a plurality of the I shims ll to each pad is to permit of adjustments in the eflective thickness of the unit to thereby better accommodate different foot conditions. It may also be mentioned that some of the shims may be only partly removed with a remaining portion cut away and left in place so as to provide for changes in thickness over certain areas only.

Before the unit is permanently secured in place it is necessary that the pad be accurately located at its proper position in the shoe, and for that purpose we provide it with a series of spaced fastener tapes H which are secured over the outer edge, as shown particularly in Fig. 4. This tape is also provided with adhesive on both sides so that it will not only stick to the unit proper but will also adhere to the inner shoe surface to which it may come in contact when temporarily placed in the shoe. The upper portion of the tape I1 is preferably covered by a small piece of cloth or tape I8, the upper surface of which is non-adhe sive, with a result that the device may be more conveniently handled by the operator and so that the stocking or foot of the wearer willnot adhere to the pad when placed in the shoe- When about to install the pad in the shoe the operator first places the pad in a position which is thought to be substantially correct. .The shoe is then placed on the foot and by proper walking or other manipulation it can soonbe determined if the pad should be adjusted one way or another. This adjustment can then be effected after the foot has been removed by.merely releasing the tapes l1 and resecuring the pad in an ad- .iusted position. It is then again tried on the foot and the operation is repeated until the pad is finally locatedin its proper position. At such time amark is then made about the pad in the shoe, whereupon the padis removedand the .tapes I! and cover cloth I5are then removed, afterwhich the pad is re-inserted at theplaces where the markings indicate it should be placed, and is firmly pressed into place. The adhesive surface of the outer tape shim now sticks to the inner surface of the shoe to firmly and positively se-. cure the pad in place. This method offastening is particularly advantageous in view of the fact that the tapeshims will not dry out, set, or crack, as would be the case if glue were used, and also has the advantage over glue in that the tape construction permits flexing with the pad body proper, and will not loosen under such flexing action as would be the case where glue were used.

A second important advantage in the use of the adhesive tape shim lies in the fact that the device can easily be removed from the shoe when it is so desired by applying a small amount of benzine or ether to the bottom adhesive surface, whereupon the pad unit may be removed by a peeling action'from the shoe; and when it is desired to replace it in the shoe it is only necessary to substitute a new outer or bottom shim.

When it is found necessary to slightly increase or decrease the thickness of the unit that of course can be taken care of by merely adding or removing shims as may be necessary.

It may here be noted that during the initial experimental fitting of the support, the lower sections of the gummed or adhesive strips I I may be readily peeled back so that shims I4 may be applied or removed when such action is found necessary. when this is done, however, it will also be necessary to remove and re-apply the cover cloth l5 so that the bottommost shim cannot adhere to the shoe until a proper adjustment has first been effected,

The anterior metatarsal arch support illustrated in Figs. 1, 8, and 9, consists of a circular pad l9 having a reduced extension 20 integral therewith. The extension 20 is designed to yieldably support the metatarsal arch structure between the "two tripodal bearing points previously referred to. In conjunction with this support the pad I9 proper is designed to relieve the stress in the metatarsal arch by shifting a part of the body weight rearwardly of the forward bearing points. The shape and size of the unit l9-20 may be varied according tothe requirements of the individual foot. Thus. the upper surface is usually of a convex form, although 7 the pad may be thicker at one side than the other,

as indicated in Fig. 9.

The pad C is provided with laminations or shims 2| similar to the previously described shims l4, and has a removable cover cloth 22 similar to the member I5 on the unit A. Thus the pad 0 is attached and may be adjusted as to thickness in exactly the same manner as previously described in connection with the unit A.

The heel pad B shown in Figures 1, 5, 6, and 7 also embodies general features described in connection with units A and C, but with certain modifications that are particularly desirable in connection with a heel supporting unit. The

pad member 23 of the heel support unit is not tapered towards its edges as with the pads A and C, but on the contrary is preferably thicker at its edgesso as to more comfortably receive and contact with the foot of the wearer. The laminated shim portion 2| is similar to the corresponding shim portions of the units A and C except that the laminated portion is divided into three sections 25, 26, and 21 extending transversely of the heel, and each of which is removable in part or as a unit, as circumstances may require. Thus, as shown in Fig. 5, the three sections are all retained in place for imparting a uniform heel supporting contact throughout its entire surface. It is frequently desirable, however, to relieve certain areas of the heel of the foot, particularly where such areas have, for some reason, become painful; and to secure such relief it is only necessary to remove some or all of the shims in one of the transversely extending sections. Thus, as shown in Fig. 6, the shim section 26 has been entirely removed, with a result that the pad 23 sags under foot pressure between the sections 25 and 21, and this sagging neatly reduces the resistance to the foot pressure as between the sections 25 and 21. In a similar manner, as shown in Fig. 7, the section 21 may be removed so as to relieve the resistance tofoot pressure at the forward part of the foot heel.

The pad 23 of the unit B, like the pads of the units A and C, is preferably made of a compressed felt, and this felt is in turn provided with the apertures l3 for receiving the compound previously described as being filled into the openings II and I3 of the pad A.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described our invention, what 'we claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A foot arch support comprising a pad formed from a compressed felt material and tapering towards its outer edges, a plurality of adhesive tape shims applied to the under side of the pad and with the lowermost of said shims having an exposed adhesive surface for fastening the support in a shoe.

2. A foot arch support comprising a pad formedfrom a compressed felt material and tapering towards its outer edges, said support having an adhesive under'surface for permanently securing it in a shoe, a cover releasably held, on the surface and for removal therefrom when the support is to be so secured, and spaced adhesive .members associated with said cover for temporarily securing the support in variously adjusted positions in the shoe.

3. A foot arch support comprising a pad formed from a compressed felt material and tapering towards its outer edges, said support having an adhesive under surface for permanently securing it in a shoe, a cover releasably held on the surface and for'removal therefrom when the support is to be so secured, and spaced adhesive members associated with said cover for temporarily securing the support in variously ad- ,iusted positions in the shoe, said spaced adhesive members comprising tapes releasably attached about said pad edges and the adjacent cover surfaces. 4. A foot appliance comprising a resilient pad having apertures therein, a deodorizing compound meansiorsecuringtheapplianceintheshoesaid compound including the elements icthyoi; glycerlne, and ground cork.

7. A tool: appliance comprising a curve'lpsd sdapted'to besecured in ashoe to support the mainfootarch,saidpadhaving slitsinitlrear to facilitate curvingof the pad, a deodorant filler element inserted in the slits, and an' aadhesive cover member secured over the pad to close said slits and to provide means for securing the pad :10

to the shoe.

JOSEPH a. 03.0mm. JAMES E. HERATY. 

